Saturday, May 21, 2011

Book Review: Vampire Kisses #8: Cryptic Cravings

Today's review is on Vampire Kisses 8: Cryptic Cravings by:  Ellen Schreiber


Schreiber's latest book in the Vampire Kisses series doesn't live up to the previous ones.  The story seems to crawl along at this point.  Raven is still waiting for Alexander to turn her into a vampire after a year of being together. 

Trevor is still a thorn in Raven's side, but surprises her by giving her a real birthday gift.  One that someone who cared about her would buy.  This set's off questions in Raven's mind as to his feelings for her and her's for him.  Are the young readers that clueless?  It has been apparent in books 1-7 that he has it bad for her.  Let's focus on that dynamic. 

Really, does it matter that Jagger's sister is trying desperately to have a boy tied to her that badly?  I think not.  Reader's want Alexander, Raven's and Trevor's story.  At least I think so.  And at book number 8, we should already be deep into that.

Don't get me wrong, the book was fine.  But that's just it...it was fine.  Nothing above average.

I know that I'll read the series until it's done just because I can't be left hanging, but I'm not sure about other readers.

3 of 5 stars

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Book Review: Grey Eyes (Book One, The Forever Trilogy

Today's review is on Grey Eyes by Brandon Alston and Quinteria Ramey

Grey Eyes is the first book in the Forever Trilogy and I have to say that it surprised me.  Though there are MANY editing errors, it was easy enough to see what the author's were trying to say.  It is still comprised of the classic YA romance.  Girl meets boy, falls in love, meets another boy, and is faced with making a choice between the two.  However, this story doesn't have the "twilight" feel as much as other YA books I've read which is nice for a change.  With that said, here is a short look at what you will find.


Ana's life is full of rules and exercises, but not the type you would do in gym class.  These rules and exercises are to keep her "safe" and prepared for anything.  One night she is put to the ultimate test of her "training" when she and her mother are attacked by vampires.  


Now back with her grandmother, Ana finds herself face to face with a boy with exceptional green eyes and they have an undeniable connection to each other.  They have found each other through each of Ana's previous reincarnations, but this time it's different.  This time she falls in love with Darren.


Other vampires are on their war to Brighton ready to kill Ana.  She has to make the right choice.  She cannot have them both.  If she chooses Tristan, Darren will die.  If she chooses Darren, Tristan will die.  Only one path will lead her back to where she needs to be.  Only one path leads back to heaven.

I am actually anxiously waiting for the next installment to come out.  I just have to find out what happens in the end.

4 out of 5 stars!!  But get a new editor!!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Book Review: Bite Club: The Morganville Vampires

Today's review is on Bite Club:  The Morganville Vampires by:  Rachel Caine


If you have been reading this series you won't be disappointed with this latest installment!!  Rachel Caine; as usual, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and their hand on the next page ready to turn it to see what happens next.

There is a new business in Morganville.  A gym run by Vampires teaching self defense to humans.  As strange as that may be, something is happening to some of the humans who have been selected for "special" classes, and Shane is one of those students.  Now we all know that Shane has some "anger issues", what with the life he's had in Morganville, but now that anger is WAY out of control and no one knows why.  

Though Bite Club focuses mainly on Shane and what is happening to him, there is plenty of adventure for the rest of the gang especially when they find out that Mr. Bishop is back.

This installment in Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires series is filled with action, adventure, and an unusual hero in the end.

4.5 stars out of 5

Friday, May 13, 2011

Book Review: Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11)

Today's review is on Dead Reckoning by: Charlaine Harris

I have to say that this installment in the Sookie series was really good.  Though each book has someone new who is after Sookie for some reason or another, and there are always Vampires to kill or Were's to kill it still makes for a good book.

The surviving Pelt's sister is after Sookie again, and even goes to far as to firebomb Merlotte's.  In the end though.....she get's killed.

Victor is trying his best to cause Eric to lose his temper so that he may kill him without punishment, but again in the end.....Victor get's killed.

Pam suffers a great loss when the woman that she is in love with dies before she can turn her.

Claude and Dermont move into the Stackhouse home and Sookie questions if they are up to something.

And finally, Sookie and Eric are having some small problems which are only made worse when Amelia; Sookie's witch friend breaks the blood bond between the two.  Though they both still love each other Sookie realizes that she is changing into someone she no longer knows and perhaps someone she doesn't want to be.  Now however she has the one thing she has never had before, a fae love token of sorts that she may use just once to change a life profoundly.  What will she use it for?  I can't wait to find out.

I did find some issues with the book as it related to past installments but all in all I'm still a fan of the series, not to mention the HBO series based on the books.  I myself am a devout Eric fan and in case you ask, a Jacob fan as well.

4 out of 5 stars.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Review: Silver (Wicked Woods #3)

Today's review is on Silver (Wicked Woods #3) by:  Kailin Gow

This third installment in Kailin Gow's Wicked Woods series continues right where #2; Shimmer, left off.  With that said, the story line is fading fast.

Briony still can't make up her mind between the brooding vampire Fallon, and his hot furry brother Kevin.  By now you would think she would have made a choice, and it did seem that way when she accepted Kevin's promise ring, but true to form she really hadn't and gave the ring back.

Enter in a dragon, and a magical alternate world and who knows what will happen next.  
I'm not entirely sure where the author is going with the story at this point.  I would think that she could have wrapped up the series in this last book.

I actually liked the first one, and even the second; if only a little less.  I mean how long can you run this love triangle?  Is the author just making stuff up now to keep the series going?  I hate to say it, but impressed I am not.  Even young adults will know this book is lacking.

I can honestly only give this book 2 out of 5 stars. 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Book Review: Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits

Today's review is on Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits by: Cate Gardner

I was sent a friendly challenge by a friend of mine to read this book and review it "if you dare".
So, M.B. here goes.


I would have to say that this was one, if not THE strangest collection of stories that I have yet to come upon.  After reading just the first; Dandelion Fluff, I knew that I had no idea what I had gotten myself into by accepting my friends challenge. 

First off, as I usually read novels, it was a bit difficult for me to stay motivated to keep reading.  Just as I was getting into the story it seemed to end.  This however is no reflection on the writer.  In fact the writing is fantastic.  Each story has a "creature, feature"; (a tv series popular in the 70's), feel to it.  That said, many of those shows gave me the creeps, not to mention nightmares.

I would have to agree with Nathaniel Lambert; the author of the introduction, who likens this collection to a sort of "Wonderland fable" in which Alice was shoved "face-first through the looking glass", and then had to describe what she saw.  However, I would like to add that I think everyone else in Wonderland, as well as perhaps Alice, may have been on Crack!

At the very least I have learned two things.  One:  I need to watch a happy Disney movie tonight before I go to bed.  Two:  Question book recommendation from M.B.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars just for creeping me out so much.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS, MY SISTERS CAROLYN AND TANYA, AND MY AWESOME MOTHER JOY!! 

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Book Review: Tempest's Legacy

Today's book review is on Tempest's Legacy (Jane True #3) by:  Nicole Peeler

High praises for Nicole Peeler's third installment of the Jane True series!!

Two months after being home from Jane's most recent event Anyan returns to Rockabill to inform Jane that her mother was found dead.  Just two day's before his arrival Jane gets a cryptic call from Ryu saying that he will always be there for her, and be there he was.

After finding out that he also knew about the death of her mother, Jane becomes furious with Ryu and begins to seriously question there relationship.  Besides that she still can't stop having romantic feelings for Anyan.

Seeking answers to her mother's death, Jane and her friends set off on an adventure that leads them to find "clinics" where female halflings are experimented on, beaten on, raped, murdered, and disposed of.  When Iris, Jane's succubus friend comes up missing, it becomes even more personal and Jane knows who is responsible.....Jarl.

This installment was the best so far, proving that you don't have to have senseless sex in the book for there to  be filled with romance as is proved by the budding love between Jane and Anyan.  Even though I was rooting for Ryu, even I found myself falling for the big dog.

Again, Nicole Peeler's Tempest's Legacy is a great read!  I couldn't put it down and read it completely in one day!  Twist's and turn's, with a surprise ending you won't see coming.

5 out of 5 stars!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Review: Tracking the Tempest

Today's book review is on Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler

Tracking the Tempest is the second installment in Nicole Peeler's Jane True series, and pick's up four months after the ending of the first book.

This book had much of the very same as the last, Alfar involvement in harming halflings and humans, lots of sex between Ryu and Jane, good guy vs. bad guy battles, and dare I say sexual tension between Jane and Anyan?  Yes I said it.

I still enjoyed the book, even though some parts were more predictable in this installment than in the first, but I'm a sucker for romance.  I liked the way Jane grew both personally and powerfully as the story progressed, but find it hard to believe that she would so easily have feelings for Anyan while she is "with" Ryu. With that said however, she is looking deeper into herself to find the real Jane True.

I look forward to finding out where the next book takes Jane, and who she ends up with.  I'm rooting for Ryu, but then again I have an affinity for vamps myself.

I give this second book in the series a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Book Review: Tempest Rising

Today's review is on:  Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler



I have just reading the first installment of Nicole Peeler's Jane True series, Tempest Rising.

Jane has never felt that she really fit in with the rest of the residents of Rockabill, Maine.  After all, her mother appears out of nowhere one day, she was born out of wedlock, her mother then mysteriously disappeared one stormy day, she swims in the ocean year round, and her boyfriend dies one evening while "trying to save her."  No wonder the residents all look at her with contempt.


One evening while enjoying her nightly swim she comes upon a dead body and drags it to shore for someone else to find.  Little did she know that she would fall head over heels for the sexy and unbearably hot vampire Ryu who has been sent by a group of supernaturals to investigate the death of the victim.


Suddenly Jane; who has come to find out that she herself is not entirely human, is thrown into a hair-raising adventure.  There is someone killing the half-breeds, and her name is literally next on the list.  Ryu say's that he will protect her and to trust no one.

I really liked this book, but feel that it's missing something.  One or two times things get pretty steamy, but then fall far from the mark further in the book, and the reader is left with a sense of "oh, they're having sex again.  Blah, blah."  If you are going to start with steam, then by all means continue with it.

All in all, I still give it 4 out of 5 stars and will continue to read the series.  Maybe it gets steamy again.